Chapter 435: Forced to the Edge!
A Demonstration of Power
The arrival of the three—Luke Shaw, Mera, and Carol Ferris—completely shattered the peaceful life of the island. Under the call of Queen Hippolyta, a grand welcoming ceremony began early the next morning.
Squads of fully armed soldiers appeared on the square. Their tall stature, strong physiques, and resolute gazes all attested to their strength. Unfortunately, when they mounted their warhorses and pulled out their bows and arrows, the scene suddenly became bizarre.
Luke Shaw kept a straight face, while Carol and Mera had slightly twitching lips, finding the sight inexplicably odd.
Antiope stated proudly, "Every Amazon is a powerful warrior. We fear nothing."
Luke Shaw translated the sentence for Mera, who struggled to keep from laughing out loud.
Sether noticed the strange behavior of the trio and asked curiously,
"Is there anything that makes Her Highness uncomfortable?"
Mera gently shook her head, whispering in the ancient Atlantean language, "Your weapons are quite novel. I've only seen them in history textbooks."
The statement carried a clear implication. Sether's heart tightened, and her expression changed.
"I wonder what your nation's weapons look like?"
Mera glanced at Luke Shaw. The latter put on his Float Armor, spread his five fingers, and aimed at the distant sea.
A white beam of light shot from his palm, carrying a destructive, crushing force. Upon hitting the sea,
Boom!
The seawater burst apart, kicking up huge waves. The Amazonians on the square were simultaneously frozen in shock.
Luke Shaw nodded slightly, saying modestly,
"Please excuse us. Our weapons are too powerful and difficult to control."
Antiope clenched her fists, staring intently at Luke Shaw.
A show of force! Another humiliation!
The man's eyes were those of a superior, civilized race looking down on unintelligent natives. The hateful Atlanteans! She truly wanted to draw her sword and hack him down.
Sether tugged at her, making a gesture of invitation.
"Please come this way. Her Majesty has been waiting for a long time."
The Challenge
The three walked through the formation of soldiers and arrived in front of a tall temple.
A statue of Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, stood before the temple. Hippolyta, wearing a gold cape and the royal circlet, stood before the sculpture, quietly watching the figures approaching in the distance.
Two women and one man, none of them old. One had flowing red hair, an aristocratic, outstanding demeanor—she must be the Atlantean Princess. The woman on the left had an extremely delicate face. The man on the right had black hair and green eyes, holding a constantly spinning metal sphere—inexplicably bizarre.
Seeing Luke Shaw, Hippolyta suddenly recalled her daughter, Diana.
It has been nearly sixty years. I wonder how she is doing in the World of Men?
Mera stopped twenty meters in front of the Queen, placing her left hand on her abdomen and performing the most ancient Atlantean etiquette.
"Mera, daughter of the King of Xebel, greets Her Majesty the Amazon Queen."
Sether promptly translated the greeting into Ancient Greek. Hippolyta smiled slightly. "The Amazons have lived here for many years, rarely interacting with the outside world. I didn't expect to see visitors from the deep sea after a thousand years."
Mera replied, "We come to this land with an intention of peace, hoping to re-establish contact with your noble nation."
"The Amazons welcome peace, however..."
Philippus, clad in metal armor, stepped forward and said gruffly,
"Forgive our presumptuousness, but we need to verify the identity of your envoy."
Luke Shaw shouted sternly, "Do you dare question Her Highness the Princess?"
Philippus scoffed. "We've heard that the Atlantean royal family possesses the ability to control water flow. If you can make the water in that pond rise into the air, I will believe your identity."
Luke Shaw was enraged. "Your Majesty, do you also believe this is necessary?"
Hippolyta said coolly, "An identity must be confirmed. The Amazons despise being deceived."
Luke Shaw suppressed his anger and translated the words for Mera. The latter wanted to laugh but could only wear an expression of fury. She turned and walked to the edge of the pond. With a single gesture, a stream of water leaped out of the surface and landed in her palm.
Seeing this, no one had any further doubts. This red-haired girl was indeed a Royal Princess.
Mera tossed the water ball back into the pond. She whispered something to Luke Shaw, who then put on his Float Armor and walked up to the Queen.
"Thousands of years ago, the Amazons were the only tribe capable of standing against Atlantis. I wonder if, after all this time, you have maintained your warrior traditions. Her Highness desires to witness this for herself. We hope Your Majesty grants permission."
At the sound of his words, everyone's face instantly darkened.
Antiope glared at Luke Shaw. "You wish to challenge us!"
"We hope you will satisfy the Princess's wish."
Oppression!
A deathly quiet oppression descended!
Queen Hippolyta, Crown Princess Antiope, and the surrounding guards all felt the arrogance and megalomania radiating from Luke Shaw. Amazons are naturally born warriors. They had only ever challenged others; when had they ever been challenged?
"I accept your challenge."
Palace Captain Philippus drew her long sword and plunged it into the ground. "Time? Place?"
"If you don't mind, right here."
"Good!"
Philippus turned to the Queen. Hippolyta remained silent for a moment, then ordered everyone to step back and clear the fighting space.
The two faced each other from a distance. As the war horn sounded, Philippus shouted and charged forward with all her might, her long saber cutting through the air.
Clang!
The blade struck the Float Armor, leaving no mark. Philippus remained silent, chopping wildly, blow after blow, all aimed decisively at vital points. Luke Shaw did not retaliate, standing there motionless from beginning to end, neither dodging nor avoiding.
After hundreds of continuous blows, Philippus stopped, screaming hoarsely,
"Why aren't you attacking?"
Luke Shaw sneered, "Your attacks are too weak."
"You're courting death!"
Philippus swung her saber and rushed forward again. The next moment, a flash of red light streaked across her eyes. Excruciating pain shot from her abdomen. She opened her mouth in shock and disbelief, flying backward in a straight line. After smashing through a stone pillar, she tumbled for over ten meters before finally stopping.
Time froze in that instant!
Seconds later, the guards recovered from their shock and pulled out their weapons, aiming them at Luke Shaw. The latter removed his armor, bowed slightly, his face showing profound disappointment.
"I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. I acted too heavily."
Hippolyta closed her eyes, feeling a sense of powerlessness she had never known. Philippus was a first-rate warrior, yet she couldn't last a single round.
The opponent's speed and strength—only Diana would stand a chance against him.
If a mere Court Secretary was this formidable, just how powerful must all of Atlantis be?
Antiope thought of the same thing, her face alternating between white and green. Suddenly, she drew her weapon and charged out.
"Let's fight again!"
Luke Shaw shook his head slightly. "Today is a day for the alliance of two nations. It's inappropriate for too many conflicts."
Saying this, he took a block of Poseidon Chill Steel from the bag carried by Carol.
"This is a gift from the King of Atlantis for this alliance. Please accept it, Your Majesty."
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